AN elderly man who appeared to be making a good recovery following surgery to remove a tumour died after inhaling his own vomit.

An inquest heard that 71-year-old Michael Carroll was being given a bed bath by two nurses at the time of the incident but, despite the immediate attention he received from them and a resuscitation team, nothing could be done to save him.

Mr Carroll, of Burnley Road, Accrington, was admitted to Blackburn Royal Infirmary in August after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Before surgery to remove the cancer, doctors had to operate to improve the blood supply to Mr Carroll's brain, a result of narrowing of the arteries because of smoking.

The same disease process had also restricted blood supply to the heart and the lungs.

Home Office pathologist, Dr William Lawler said the existing disease of the lungs had rendered them incapable of dealing with the inhalation of gastric fluids.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.